Roman Reigns

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Roman Reigns

Reigns in November 2013
Birth name Leati Joseph Anoa'i
Ring name(s) Joe Anoa'i[1]
(Roman) Leakee[1]
Roman Reigns[1]
Billed height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2]
Billed weight 265 lb (120 kg)[2]
Born (1985-05-25) May 25, 1985[1]
Pensacola, Florida, United States[1]
Billed from Pensacola, Florida[3]
Trained by Afa Anoa'i[4]
Sika Anoa'i[4]
Florida Championship Wrestling[1]
Debut 2010[1]

Leati Joseph "Joe" Anoa'i (born May 25, 1985) is an American professional wrestler and former Canadian football defensive tackle. Anoa'i is signed to WWE, where he works under the ring name Roman Reigns as one-third of the stable The Shield and is a former WWE Tag Team Champion. He is tied with Aja Kong for the record for the most eliminations at the annual Survivor Series match, eliminating 4 people in the match at the 2013 event,[5] and two months later broke the 13 year record for most eliminations in a single Royal Rumble at the 2014 event, eliminating 12 superstars.[6] He is a member of the Anoa'i family, a renowned Samoan-American wrestling dynasty.

Football career

Joe Anoa'i

Photo by Jamie Howell
Date of birth: (1985-05-25) May 25, 1985
Place of birth: Pensacola, Florida, United States
Career information
Status: Retired
CFL status: Import
Position(s): DT
Weight: 280 lb (130 kg)
College: Georgia Tech
Organizations
As player:
2007
2007
2008

Minnesota Vikings*
Jacksonville Jaguars*
Edmonton Eskimos

*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career stats
Tackles 9
Knockdowns 0
Sacks 0
*CFL statistics only

Anoa'i is a former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket, and was named first-team All-ACC his senior year.[1] After going undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft, he was signed by the Minnesota Vikings.[7] Upon being released by the Vikings, he was added to the Jacksonville Jaguars roster to provide depth at defensive end. In 2008, Anoa'i was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos and accepted a spot on the team's practice roster.[1][8]

Professional wrestling career

World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE

Developmental territories (2010–2012)

In July 2010, Anoa'i signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was later assigned to their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).[1] He debuted on September 9, 2010, using the ring name Roman Leakee, in a loss to Richie Steamboat in a singles match. Further losses to Idol Stevens and Wes Brisco ensued, before he gained his first win on September 21 over Fahd Rakman. He continued competing in FCW throughout the remainder of the year, wrestling mainly in tag team matches.[9] On the January 16, 2011 episode of FCW television, Leakee was a competitor in a 30-man Grand Royal, but was eliminated.[10] Later in 2011, Leakee formed an alliance with Donny Marlow and the pair unsuccessfully challenged Calvin Raines and Big E Langston for the Florida Tag Team Championship on July 8.[11]

In 2012, Leakee became a main eventer in singles competition, and he pinned Florida Heavyweight Champion Leo Kruger during a tag team match on the 8 episode of FCW television.[12] On the February 5 episode of FCW television, he defeated Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins in a triple threat match to become the number one contender to the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship.[13] He failed to win the championship when he lost to champion Kruger the following week.[14] Leakee later won the Florida Tag Team Championship with Mike Dalton, before dropping it to CJ Parker and Jason Jordan.

When WWE rebranded its developmental territory, FCW, into NXT Wrestling,[15] Anoa'i, with a new ring name of Roman Reigns, made his WWE NXT debut on the October 31, 2012 episode, defeating CJ Parker.[16]

The Shield (2012–present)

Main article: The Shield (professional wrestling)

Roman Reigns made his main roster television debut on November 18, 2012 at the Survivor Series pay-per-view alongside Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, assaulting Ryback during the triple threat main event for the WWE Championship, which led to CM Punk pinning John Cena to retain the title.[17] The trio declared themselves "The Shield" and vowed to rally against "injustice." They denied working for Punk, but routinely emerged from the crowd to attack Punk's adversaries, including Ryback and WWE Tag Team Champions Team Hell No (Kane and Daniel Bryan).[18][19][20][21] This led to a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match being set up for the TLC pay-per-view, where Ambrose, Reigns and Rollins defeated Team Hell No and Ryback in their debut match.[22] The Shield continued to aid Punk after TLC; during Punk and Ryback's TLC match for the WWE Championship on the January 7, 2013, episode of Raw, they attacked Ryback, which resulted in Punk again retaining his title.[23] During the Royal Rumble event where The Rock challenged for Punk's WWE Championship, a blackout occurred and The Rock was attacked by the Shield in the darkness, leading to Punk pinning The Rock and retaining his title. The match was later restarted with The Rock winning the WWE Championship.[24] The following night on Raw, it was revealed that Punk and his manager Paul Heyman had been paying the Shield and Brad Maddox to work for them all along.[25]

The Shield then quietly ended their association with Punk while a feud with John Cena, Ryback and Sheamus led to a six-man tag match on February 17 at Elimination Chamber,[26][26][27] which the Shield won.[28] The Shield had their first Raw match the following night, where they defeated Chris Jericho, Ryback, and Sheamus.[29] Sheamus then formed an alliance with Randy Orton and later Big Show, to take on the Shield,[30] but on April 7 at WrestleMania 29, the Shield emerged victorious in their first WrestleMania match.[31] The following night on Raw, The Shield attempted to attack the Undertaker but were stopped by Team Hell No.[32] This set up a six-man tag team match on the April 22 episode of Raw, where The Shield emerged victorious.[33] Four days later on SmackDown, the Shield beat the Undertaker down with chairs and triple-powerbombed him through the announcers' table.[34] On the April 29 episode of Raw, The Shield defeated Team Hell No and WWE Champion John Cena in a six-man tag team match, with Reigns pinning Cena for the win.[35] On the May 13 episode of Raw, The Shield's undefeated streak in televised six-man tag team matches ended in a disqualification loss in an elimination match against Cena, Kane and Bryan. With Kane and Bryan eliminated, Cena pinned Rollins and then Reigns was disqualified. Ambrose was disqualified when Reigns and Rollins attacked Cena.[36]

On May 19 at Extreme Rules, after Ambrose won the WWE United States Championship, Rollins and Reigns defeated Team Hell No in a tag team tornado match to win the WWE Tag Team Championship.[37] Rollins and Reigns made their first televised title defense on the May 27 episode of Raw, defeating Team Hell No in a rematch.[38] On the June 14 episode of SmackDown, the Shield's unpinned/unsubmitted streak in televised six-man tag team matches came to an end at the hands of Team Hell No and Randy Orton, when Daniel Bryan submitted Rollins.[39][40] Three days later at WWE Payback, Rollins and Reigns defeated Bryan and Orton to retain their tag team titles.[41] Rollins and Reigns began feuding with their new number one contenders the Usos,[42] and on July 14, during the Money in the Bank pre-show, defeated them to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship.[43] On September 15 at Night of Champions, Reigns and Rollins successfully retained their titles by defeating The Prime Time Players (Darren Young and Titus O'Neil).[44] On the September 23 Raw, Reigns was pinned for the first time while on the main roster courtesy of the Usos when the Shield participated and lost a 11-on-3 handicap elimination match.[45]

On the October 14 episode of Raw, Reigns and Rollins lost the WWE Tag Team Championship to Cody Rhodes and Goldust in a No Disqualification match, following interference from Big Show.[46] On October 27 at Hell in a Cell, Reigns and Rollins failed to regain the Tag titles from the Rhodes brothers in a triple threat match, also involving the Usos.[47] At Survivor Series, Reigns was the Sole Survivor for his team in the traditional 5 on 5 elimination tag team match after eliminating four opponents.[48] With that he tied Aja Kong for the record for the most eliminations in the annual Survivor Series match.[5] At TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, CM Punk overcame the Shield in a handicap match after Ambrose received a spear aimed for Punk. On January 6, 2014, Reigns defeated Punk on the special Raw Old School episode, making him the only member of the Shield to have beaten Punk.[49] At the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, Reigns would enter the Rumble match at #15, and set the record for most eliminations in a single Rumble with 12. Reigns eliminated Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose during the match and was the runner-up in the match, being one of the final two wrestlers remaining until being eliminated by the winner Batista.[50]

Personal life

Anoa'i visited Dell Children's Hospital in 2013.

Anoa'i is the son of Sika of the Wild Samoans and the brother of Matt "Rosey" Anoa'i, who are both professional wrestlers.[1] As a member of the Anoa'i family, he is also related to fellow professional wrestlers Rikishi, The Usos, The Rock, Umaga, Yokozuna and former WWF Tag Team Champion "Headshrinker" Samu Anoa'i.

In wrestling

The Shield prepare to perform their triple powerbomb.
  • Finishing moves
    • As Roman Reigns
      • Moment of Silence (Back suplex side slam)[16][51] – NXT; used as a signature move in WWE[52]
      • Spear[53] – WWE
    • As Leakee

Championships and accomplishments

Reigns as Tag Team Champion in 2013
  • Pro Wrestling Illustrated
    • PWI Tag Team of the Year (2013) – with Seth Rollins
    • PWI ranked him #39 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2013[60]
  • WWE
    • WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Seth Rollins[62]
    • Slammy Award for "What a Maneuver" of the Year (2013) – for the Spear
    • Slammy Award for Faction of the Year (2013) - with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins as The Shield
    • Slammy Award for Trending Now (Hashtag) of the Year (2013) - #BelieveInTheShield - with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins as The Shield
    • Slammy Award for Breakout Star of the Year (2013) - with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins as The Shield

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 "Roman Reigns". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved January 18, 2013. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Roman Reigns". WWE. Retrieved December 8. 
  3. ↑ "Roman Leakee". Florida Championship Wrestling. Retrieved January 1, 2011. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Van Der Griend, Blaine (December 28, 2011). "Islanders put family first in wrestling business". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved January 5, 2012. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/434129-roman-reigns-ties-survivor-series-record
  6. ↑ http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1937605-roman-reigns-breaks-wwe-royal-rumble-record-with-12-eliminations
  7. ↑ Yotter, Tim (May 30, 2007). "Vikings Release Two Linemen". Scout.com. Retrieved December 26, 2008. 
  8. ↑ O'Leary, Chris (May 27, 2013). "Former Eskimo finds new career in professional wrestling". Edmonton Journal/Calgary Herald. Retrieved 6 July 2013. 
  9. ↑ "Florida Championship Wrestling (2010)". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved January 5, 2012. 
  10. ↑ Gibbons, Elliott (January 19, 2011). "FCW TV Results 1/16: Report on WWE's developmental territory – Mason Ryan defends FCW Title, NXT Rookies battle". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 5, 2012. 
  11. ↑ Mullet, Chris (July 9, 2011). "7/8 FCW results in Gainesville, Fla.: Morrison guest appearance, Black vs. Moxley six-man main event, Steamboat, NXT Rookies & Divas, Vickie's daughter". Pro Wrestling Torch. 
  12. ↑ Namako, Jason (January 9, 2012). "FCW Results – 1/9/12". WrestleView. Retrieved April 1, 2012. 
  13. ↑ Namako, Jason (February 6, 2012). "FCW Results – 2/6/12". WrestleView. Retrieved April 1, 2012. 
  14. ↑ Namako, Jason (February 13, 2012). "FCW Results – 2/13/12". WrestleView. Retrieved April 1, 2012. 
  15. ↑ "WWE News: FCW name being phased out". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved August 14, 2012. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT REPORT: CESARO/KIDD FOR THE US TITLE; FATAL FOUR WAY NEXT WEEK TO DETERMINE #1 CONTENDER; BIG E TALKS; ROMAN REIGNS DEBUTS ON NXT". PWInsider. Retrieved November 4. 
  17. ↑ Caldwell, James. "SURVIVOR SERIES NEWS: NXT stars debut in PPV main event angle, plus other news from annual PPV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 19 November 2012. 
  18. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 11/19: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Survivor Series fall-out". PWTorch. Retrieved 5 December 2012. 
  19. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 11/26: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - The Shield speaks, Cena-Ziggler". PWTorch. Retrieved 5 December 2012. 
  20. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 12/3: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - McMahon returns, Punk takes a Test". PWTorch. Retrieved 5 December 2012. 
  21. ↑ "WWE NEWS: WWE officially announces TLC main event change; will Ryback still get a WWE Title shot?". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 5 December 2012. 
  22. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE TLC PPV RESULTS 12/16: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of final 2012 PPV – Cena vs. Ziggler main event, Shield makes a statement". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 17 December 2012. 
  23. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 1/7: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - WWE Title match, The Rock returns, Cena vs. Ziggler (updated w/Box Score)". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 12 January 2013. 
  24. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE ROYAL RUMBLE PPV RESULTS 1/27: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Punk vs. Rock, 30-man Rumble". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 29 January 2013. 
  25. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 1/28: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Huge Return ends Raw, Rock's first night as WWE champ, Raw Roulette, Heyman-McMahon". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 29 January 2013. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 2/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - WWE explains many things, Punk-Jericho main event, Bruno HOF Video". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 6 February 2013. 
  27. ↑ Caldwell, James. "WWE NEWS: Team Cena vs. The Shield official for Elimination Chamber; updated PPV line-". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 6 February 2013. 
  28. ↑ Caldwell, James. "WWE NEWS: Chamber PPV results & notes - WM29 main event set, World Title match set, Shield big win, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 18 February 2013. 
  29. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 2/18: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Chamber PPV fall-out, big Mania news, Rock's Celebration, Shield six-man tag match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 26 February 2013. 
  30. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 3/25: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Rock returns for Q&A debate with Cena, Hunter punts Barrett, latest WM29 hype". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 26 May 2013. 
  31. ↑ "CALDWELL'S WWE WRESTLEMANIA 29 PPV RESULTS: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live PPV from MetLife Stadium - Rock-Cena II, Taker-Punk, Lesnar-Hunter, more". 
  32. ↑ "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 4/8: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - WM29 fall-out, new World Champ, no Rock, Taker live, crowd takes over". 
  33. ↑ "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 4/22 (Second Hour): Shield vs. The Undertaker six-man tag match, Ryder squashed". 
  34. ↑ "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 4/26: Complete coverage of the loaded Friday night show, including Undertaker vs. Ambrose, Henry vs. Orton". 
  35. ↑ "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 4/29 (Hour 3): Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – New Main Event of WWE Champ & Tag Champs vs. Shield, more". 
  36. ↑ "RAW NEWS: Shield loses first match, Lesnar's "mystique" now in-play, Dolph off TV, Miz returns, Dance-Off, App overload, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 27 May 2013. 
  37. ↑ Bishop, Matt. "Lesnar finishes off Triple H at Extreme Rules". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 26 May 2013. 
  38. ↑ "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 5/27 (Hour 2): Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Memorial Day Raw – Tag Title match, HBK cameo, bizarre App Poll". 
  39. ↑ "WWE NEWS: Significant Smackdown SPOILER for Friday's episode (w/Analysis of potential fall-out scenarios)". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 15 June 2013. 
  40. ↑ Plummer, Dale. "Smackdown!: The Shield was handed their first loss heading into Payback". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 15 June 2013. 
  41. ↑ "CALDWELL'S WWE PAYBACK PPV RESULTS 6/16 (Hour 3)". 
  42. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 6/24 (Hour 2): Cena responds to Henry, Punk-Heyman face-to-face, video game reveal, Ryback returns to in-ring action". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 20 July 2013. 
  43. ↑ "CALDWELL'S WWE MITB PPV RESULTS 7/14 (Pre-Show): Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of Shield defending Tag Titles". 
  44. ↑ Martin, Adam. "WWE Night of Champions PPV Results - 9/15/13 (Orton vs Bryan)". Wrestleview. Retrieved September 18. 
  45. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 9/23 (Hour 3): Punk returns home, D-Bryan leads Babyfaces vs. Shield in main event". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 1 December 2013. 
  46. ↑ Benigno, Anthony. "Raw results: The Rhodes get golden, Orton traps Bryan and Heyman goes to 'Hell'". WWE. Retrieved October 15. 
  47. ↑ Waldman, Jon. "Hell in a Cell: The usual suspects end up on top". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 1 November 2013. 
  48. ↑ "WWE S. Series PPV results 11/24 (Hour 1): Team Shield vs. Team Rhodes & Rey Survivor Series match, IC Title match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 25 November 2013. 
  49. ↑ Howell, Nolan. "TLC: Randy Orton crowned new WWE World Heavyweight Champion". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 18 December 2013. 
  50. ↑ "The 30-Superstar Royal Rumble Match". wwe.com. WWE. Retrieved 18 December 2013. 
  51. ↑ "Roman Reigns - NXT Profile". NXT Wrestling. Archived from the original on 26 February 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2013. 
  52. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE RAW REPORT: MORE MATCHES FOR THE PPV; PUNK AND HEYMAN UP THE VERBAL ANTE; LOVE IS A BATTLEGROUND". PWInsider. Retrieved October 3. 
  53. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER PPV RESULTS 2/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Rock-Punk II, Elimination Chamber match, Shield beats Team Cena". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 27 February 2013. 
  54. ↑ "Cagematch profile". Cagematch. Retrieved February 17, 2013. 
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 Trionfo, Richard. "FCW Television Report For February 5: Steamboat/Sandow 2; Ambrose And Rollins Get A Chance For A Title Match; William Regal Gets In Trouble With Maxine". PWInsider. Retrieved 31 July 2013. 
  56. ↑ {{cite web|last=Parks|first=Greg|title=PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 6/7: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Friday show, including Randy Orton, Kane, Daniel Bryan on Miz TV setting up the TV main event|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwesmackdownreport/article_71147.shtml|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|accessdate=12 June 2013|quote=Rollins whipped Bryan into Reigns who landed a jumping clothesline.}}
  57. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER PPV RESULTS 2/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Rock-Punk II, Elimination Chamber match, Shield beats Team Cena". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 12 June 2013. "Reigns then turned back to Cena and delivered a Samoan Drop for a two count." 
  58. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE RAW REPORT: TOO McMANY McMAHONS?; WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE NO LONG A HEYMAN 'CLIENT'; MARK HENRY GIVES AN EMOTIONAL SPEECH; A SCARE FOR DANIEL BRYAN; IS STEPHANIE MCMAHON THE NEW KAREN JARRETT?; WHAT IF PEOPLE DON'T COME OUT DURING PROMO SEGMENTS, HOW WOULD WE GET MATCHES?; AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved June 20. 
  59. ↑ "WWE: Special Op (The Shield) - Single by Jim Johnston". WWE. iTunes. Archived from the original on February 26, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2013. 
  60. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2013". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2013-08-22. 
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 Meltzer, Dave (January 27, 2014). "Jan 27 2014 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2013 Annual awards issue, best in the world in numerous categories, plus all the news in pro-wrestling and MMA over the past week and more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Campbell, California): 1–37. ISSN 1083-9593. 
  62. ↑ "The Shield's first WWE Tag Team Championship reign". 

External links

Template:The Shield (professional wrestling)

1st generation
2nd generation
3rd generation
4th generation
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